arjuna tree

HAND BOOK ON MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS

ARJUNA(Terminalia arjuna (Roxb)Wight& Arn)

Family-Combretaceae

Arjun is known for its medicinal values in bark asa diuretic and useful for relief in symptomatichypertension. It is considered to be a reputedcardiac tonic in the Ayurvedic system of medicine.Bark is used in about 12 Ayurvedic preparations.

Botanical description

It is a large evergreen tree (20-25 m tall) withspreading branches and fast growing. Its graycoloured thick bark pale white externally andsmooth inside and flakes off in large flat pieces.

The leaves are simple, sub-opposite to each other and are oblong or elliptic-oblong in shape.The flowers are stalkless and found in clusters or in axillary spikes. The fruits (drupe) ovoid-oblong, 5-7 hard angles or wings making it convenient for disposal by wind.

Habitat

Arjun

The tree is common throughout the greater part of Indianpeninsula along rivers, streams, ravines and drywatercourses. It is basically a tropical species. It growsalmost in all types of soils but it prefers humid, fertileloam and red lateritic soils. It grows in low land to hillyareas and it can tolerate half submergence for a few weeks.It is also planted for shade and decoration in avenues orparks.

Propagation

Arjun is propagated by seed. One kg contains 775-800Nos of seed. Seed are hard; need soaking in water forabout 36 hours for germination. Seeds collected fromprevious season are directly sown (dibbled at 7.5 cm X8.5 cm on well-prepared raised beds, regularly watered

Seedling ready for planting

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and weeded. Germination takes about 50-70 days with 50-60% germination and within 2-3months gets ready for transplanting in the main field. Seedlings can be prepared in poly bags also.

Planting

Seedlings are planted during rainy season (May-June) in rows. Stumps of 2 cm from one-yearold seedlings after the first showers in April are best to regenerate the areas likely to be waterlogged.

Spacing

For planting pits of size 60 x 60 x 60 cm are dug at spacing of 6 x 6 m either side and filled back bytopsoil mixed with 5 kg compost. One-hectare area will accommodate about 275 plants.Flowering and fruiting are obtained after 7-8 years of age It prefers wet condition for its optimumgrowth. 5-10 kg compost should be applied to each tree before monsoon every year.

Silvicultural Characters

A moderate shade-bearer, but does not tolerate dense overhead shade. Seedlings are sensitive

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to drought and frost but grow well if moisture isavailable. It produces root suckers. Coppicing issatisfactory and pollards well. Not suitable foropen and dry hillsides.

Pests and Diseases

During rainy season incidence of powdery mildewdisease appears in the early stages of growth,which is maximum during September. This canbe controlled by spraying sulphur containingfungicide like Karathane (wet suphur) @ 0.1 %500 g- 700 g in 500 – 700 litre water.

Some leaf-eating insects appear but it is advisablenot to use synthetic pesticides particularly when

bark harvesting is undertaken. Neem based pesticides may be used.

Harvesting

Although flowering and fruiting starts after 6-7 years of planting, bark is removed not before 15years of growth to get quality product. Only thick bark is cut away. The harvesting is done duringdry period before the spring (April - May).

Arjun fruit


Rs. 25,000Rs. 15,000 – 25,0004 - 4.5 MT2,00,000 – 2,25,0001,60,000 – 1,75,000

Generaly from ground about 3 m (10ft) height depending upon the girth of the bole is consideredfor bark harvesting. Bark of the old branches also can be harvested after about 30 years onwards.

About 10 cm wide bark strip is removed alternately to the upward direction all around the trunk.The equal portion of bark that is left will be harvested in the next year. This alternate removal willhelp the tree in maintenance of translocation of organic solutes.

To avoid quick drying, the cut surface may be plustered with a mixture of mud and cowdungimmediately after bark removal.

Collected bark is cut into pieces and dried under sun and shade.

Yield

From a full-grown tree about 15-20 kg of dry bark is obtained. Production increases upto25-30 years. About 3 kg fresh bark gives 1 kg on drying.

Medicinal uses

The bark is of great economic value as it contains 20-24% tannin and used for tanning anddying. It is used in hypertension, and ulcers, the bark is astringent, cooling, anti dysentericurinary astringent, anemia and vitiated conditions of pitta. The bark is popularly used as acardiac tonic. The bark is useful in diseases of the heart, allays thirst and relieves fatigue.Consumption of barks or bark powder alone will lead to constipation. To avoid this it is tobe taken with milk.Arjun tree is recommended for reclamation of waterlogged areas and for social forestry.

Economic life: More than 60 years

Economics of cultivation / ha No. of plants = 275

Cost of cultivationMaintenance for 15 yearsYield dry bark/ha/year after 15 yearsGross return/ha @ Rs.50/kg of dry barkNet return after 15 years of planting

-000-

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arjuna tree

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